Tag Archives: senior living

Coffee, hot chocolate and pastries bring a sparkle to the residents’ eyes and smiles to their faces while at Artman’s Inspiration Café! These hot beverages aren’t the only explanation behind the smiles. But it is the exchange of kindness and attentiveness shown throughout their conversations which displays how much the residents care about each other.

Much concern is taken with the placement of the residents around the tables. Walkers and chairs are put off to the side to make room for the wheelchairs. There is an unexpressed knowledge which you quickly notice that no one shall drink their coffee alone.

The café opens right after Tuesday’s mass and that’s when the orders start pouring in. Residents watch as I use the coffee maker to make one cup of Joe after another interchanged with a few hot chocolates and a stand-alone cappuccino. I find myself refilling the water tank repeatedly to keep the orders fulfilled. And before I know it, everyone has a cup of something in front of them.

Mary Cassidy, CTRS, household coordinator for Artman’s Penllyn community shares, “The residents love coming to the café. It gives them a chance to socialize with residents from other households and to enjoy an afternoon coffee and treat. The residents have come to know that the café will be open Tuesday afternoons and frequently talk about going to the café leading up to the scheduled time.”

As the Café’s Tuesday barista, I absolutely enjoy the hustle and bustle that comes with preparing the beverages. Artman’s Inspiration Café resembles the show, “Cheers” where everyone knows my name and I know their drink of choice.

For convenience, the Café offers a ‘drive through’ service where residents can take their beverages to go for themselves or for friends who aren’t feeling well enough to leave their room.

The café offers the opportunity to foster new bonds and share treasured memories and life stories with old and new acquaintances. During my time spent making coffee, I have overheard some heartwarming sentiments such as, “The last time I had a cup of coffee was in WW II. I must have liked it then, but I don’t like it now.” And, “Sitting here reminds me of being in my parents’ bakery when I was a little girl.”

Established in 2017, the Inspiration Café has become the place to be. So, next time you happen to be at Artman on a Tuesday afternoon or here for Sunday’s mass, make a plan to visit this aroma filled coffee nook. You will find yourself enthralled with the charm of the Inspiration Café!

According to Audrey Hepburn, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” At Artman, the All Seasons Garden inspires residents, serving as a location for social activities, reflection and relaxation.

For Richard, his work as a landscape architect is like painting a masterpiece.

Richard, a resident of our community, worked as a landscape architect for more than fifty years. He shares what gardens mean to him, “Gardens can move you and make you feel emotion. They have the potential to be sources of such beauty that they take your breath away. Gardens are a source of renewal and joy.”

Katelyn, Artman’s director of community life, is excited about the new possibilities in resident care these raised beds will provide. “Raised flower beds will increase access to plants for our residents to touch, smell and see. These sensory activities will contribute to their emotional and physical health, while strengthening cognitive wellbeing and memory.”

Now that the weather is nice, residents and family members are out in the garden more, enjoying the sun, the beauty of the blooms, and the buzz of activity from the creatures who live there, including a mother duck and her ten ducklings. It brings such joy to all.

To Richard, gardens are a source of renewal and joy.

“Whether we’re relaxing on the patio or by the pond, or admiring the garden from inside, the residents get so much out of it,” Richard says. “New plants will help its beauty last, and the addition of lights will help us enjoy the garden for longer periods of time.”

“Garden design is a true art form for Dad,” Gina, Richard’s daughter shares. “He dedicated a lot of his life to creating beautiful spaces with meticulous consideration for each plant and what it added. For him it was like composing a symphony or painting a masterpiece. I know Artman’s outdoor space means a lot to Dad and his friends at the community.”

Iris, one of our household coordinators, recently experienced such a moment during a wine and cheese social. She had taken Mort, age 95, to the event. While there, Edith, a resident at Paul’s Run for the past six years, recognized Mort. The amazing part of this story is that Edith and Mort had lost track of one another decades ago.

“I hadn’t seen Mort since I was a young girl,” says Edith. “After I introduced myself I shared how I grew up with his wife. I would see him walking up the street to pick her up for dates. As we talked we shared fond memories, such as the two of them riding in a carriage right after their wedding. He teared up a bit, tears of joy.”

Mort was overjoyed. “When you come to a new community and people recognize you, it makes you feel good,” he says. “Edith remembered my wife, Jeanie, from before we were married. She told me how she teased Jeanie when I picked her up for dates by singing ‘Morty’s here! Morty’s here!’ It made me smile and feel young again.”

Iris recalls, “It was touching to see Edith recognize him. You could tell he was moved by the experience. As Edith was talking to him another resident came up to them and also recognized Mort. Suddenly all these memories were being shared between them. It was great to see.”

“Paul’s Run has meant a lot for Dad. He appreciates the social interaction and seeing people he knew as a young man,” Mort’s daughter Joan says. “Following his fall, we knew that he needed a place where he would be comfortable and his care needs would be met. The care and support he receives from such an amazing team of people has been exceptional.”

Mort’s time at Paul’s Run has also forged new bonds, including with those who share their talents to serve our residents on a daily basis. Speaking about Iris, Mort shared, “She’s something, God love her. She’s a comfort to me, she really is, and I appreciate everything you guys have done for me. Iris makes me feel good every day.”

Construction has begun on the highly anticipated Palmer Park at The Village at Penn State. Designed and completed by the Arnold Palmer Design Company, the first-of-its-kind fully landscaped park, gardens and beautiful walking trails will offer residents unparalleled outdoor space for year-round activities, recreation and al fresco dining.

The senior living community is dedicated to providing a wealth of healthy experiences for retired adults seeking an active and engaging lifestyle. Thanks to a suite of services, including independent living, personal care, rehabilitation and skilled nursing, residents are able to ‘age in place’ throughout all stages of their retirement.

With the addition of Palmer Park at The Village, residents seeking to continue their robust lifestyle choices can step outside to hone their golf skills on the professionally contoured synthetic grass putting green and practice area. The Park also has space for residents to delight in a game of bocce, stroll the walkway through world-class gardens, and partake in morning meditation on the multi-purpose fields.

A magnificent pergola and fire pit accent the new Creamery Terrace where residents can revel in al fresco dining with views of Palmer Park’s fields and golf putting greens. Focused on resident nutrition and using fresh, local-sourced ingredients, the Village’s exquisite restaurant-style fine dining allows for a stunning experience that rivals the region’s fine dining establishments. Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream will also be available on-site in a variety of flavors for residents, family and friends to enjoy on the terrace, on the walking paths, or while relaxing on one of the many sitting areas throughout the Park.

Located on the doorstep of Penn State’s campus, residents of the Village enjoy a special relationship with the University and the students. The Village provides transportation to lectures, sporting and cultural events, and to downtown State College. Students also regularly visit The Village, bringing their youth and energy to an already vibrant community. With this in mind, Palmer Park is distinctly designed for residents of The Village to be active in a very unique outdoor setting.

PalmerPark at The Village at Penn State showcases how the community continues to offer unparalleled services to people who want to stay fit and active through their retirement.

Click here to schedule a tour to learn more about all the new developments happening at The Village at Penn State.

As part of Liberty Lutheran’sA Day in the Life series, Andragina and Wanda share how they travel the neighborhoods of West Philadelphia to bring hope, fellowship, and safety to homebound seniors—many of whom might face dire conditions without their care and support. In their own words, here are some of the joys and challenges Andragina and Wanda find along the road.

AndraginaThis is the first time I’ve ever worked with seniors. My inspiration to do this work came from a scary situation I had with my elderly aunt who is very dear to me. My brother and I went over to her home for our usual Sunday visit and discovered she had suffered a fall four days earlier. She was virtually helpless for four days! That just horrified me and made me realize there needs to be more people to be able to check on our seniors, especially those who don’t have anyone. I kept thinking suppose no one went to see her—that was a defining moment for me.

WandaI am passionate about what I do. I get up with such zeal because I feel like somebody is going to get blessed today that may have been feeling hopeless. While they think I may just be setting them up for home-delivered meals or transportation, I may notice they don’t have gas or running water, or they have a leak from a ceiling that’s going to fall down. When I point it out they usually respond by saying something like “there’s nothing I can do—I can barely afford my medication.” They’re not even thinking of getting help for the lack of utilities or the structural disrepair in their home, but I have the resources to help this situation and then they get so excited. I get so filled up when somebody gets a blessing like this. It’s like Christmas for them!

For instance, I was helping a woman who was a very responsible person but had fallen behind in her bills due to depression from grieving the loss of her daughter and son. She didn’t have any heat in her house so I was able to refer her to a resource that would come and give her a heater. Also, she was so afraid to be without medical insurance, which cost more than $500. I talked to my supervisor and we were able to pay that for her. Additionally, at one point she called me and said she hadn’t eaten for a couple of days. I can’t imagine how it feels to be hungry—I was beside myself. My coworkers saw how filled up I was and started gathering all types of resources so that I could get food and necessities to her. The teamwork was so awesome that I was able to purchase food and provide her with groceries and other nutritional items. As we sat and talked she began to cry because she was so deeply moved by our outreach and concern. This is what I mean when I say somebody is going to get Christmas today—it’s what we do!

AndraginaA lot of the seniors we serve are blind. Quite a few have been exploited in some way and many are truly lonely because they are separated from family or have no family. We also encounter older adults who may have limited mobility, take multiple medications, need dialysis three times a week, or have mental health issues.

Despite these circumstances, many of the older adults we serve are so grateful for the smallest thing we can give them. Recently, I was able to provide for one of the seniors in my care a nutritional supplement that she had been awaiting for a couple of months. She was so very thankful. We’re able to visit someone and provide for them some of the small things we take for granted that they don’t have. As Wanda says, it’s like Christmas for them.

Like when I was working with an older woman whose eyesight and legs have been failing. She has steps and couldn’t get outside and really wanted the pleasure of once again being in her garden. We were able to get contractors to build her ramps and give her a sense of independence.

I’m also reminded of another woman I was helping who needed extermination for mice, roaches, and bedbugs. She was horribly dismayed about her situation because she had always kept a clean house. But, the problem was stemming from the two vacant houses on either side of her that were overrun with pests. I didn’t even pull off her block before I was on the phone with our extermination service. In the end, we were able to get her place exterminated and some of the clutter under control. Now her whole spirit is totally different—she is just so happy.

WandaI love feeling like somebody is going to get Christmas today and being able to make that happen! When we visit a senior we ask them what we can do that would make them more comfortable in their home. We let them know we can provide meals if it’s difficult for them to cook. Or sometimes, someone may be challenged by getting back and forth to the doctors because it costs $4.50 one way to go by paratransit, which is a lot for a senior who’s on a restricted income—but we come in and say you don’t have to bear the burden of payment because we can help you. We can help to obtain a household cleaning service, take care of a shutoff notice, or even provide funds that may be needed for movers if a senior is relocating to another address.

AndraginaThe difficult aspect of our job is to visit a senior who doesn’t have the basics of food or they don’t have family or support systems or no one really comes in to see them…and of course when they pass that’s devastating to all of us because we know them and have worked with them.

WandaFor me, a difficult aspect of the job is that I want to be effective and impactful when I go to an older adult’s home but it can sometimes be so overwhelmingly. Sometimes people have extreme clutter or they’re in situations where they’re being neglected in their home. If someone needs to leave their home it’s usually because of structural deficiencies…it’s hard because many have been in their home more than 50 years but the conditions may be so deteriorated that they need to get out for their own safety.

I once visited an older woman in her home who clearly needed to move. I knew she could quickly qualify for senior housing because of her situation. But, this woman just didn’t want to leave. She said she had an application in with the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation. Fortunately, because of that, I was able to get PHDC to expedite repairs for her home and also get her windows fixed. She was so elated. Afterward, she sent me a modest box with a pair of white gloves, a pair of stockings, and a card. I’ve kept all of those items because you could tell that was all she had but it was her way of thanking me.

AndraginaNone of what we do would be possible without the help and support of our director, supervisors, and our colleagues on the IHSP team—all whom empower and support us in providing the best care to those we serve. Liberty is truly a family that is concerned about us as employees and not just production and paperwork.

February is officially designated as Heart Health Month. According to The Heart Foundation, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. The good news is that it is also one of the most preventable.

Dr. Christopher Pitsch, Medical Director at Liberty Lutheran’s Paul’s Run community, offers five questions he wishes his patients would ask.

Q: What is heart disease?
A: Though “heart disease” may be used to describe a few different conditions, it is most commonly used in reference to coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease (CAD). In CAD the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged and cannot supply enough blood to the heart.

Q: What causes heart disease?
A: Heart disease starts with atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a process in which fatty substances build up inside the walls of the arteries. Blood components can also begin sticking to the wall, causing a “plaque” buildup and narrowing/hardening of the vessels.

Q: What does high blood pressure have to do with heart disease?
A: Several years of high blood pressure can damage artery walls, causing them to become stiff and narrow. Though controlling our blood pressure is always important, there is more flexibility as we get older. Too aggressively lowering our blood pressure can cause problems as well.

Q: Is it OK to exercise?
A: Yes, regular exercise improves blood flow to the heart and makes the other muscles in the body more efficient, increasing their functional capacity as well as any medicine. As little as 10 minutes of an exercise you enjoy can go a long way.

Q: How can I lower my cholesterol?
A: Though sometimes medicine is required, healthy lifestyle changes can also make a big impact. Eating more fruits, lean meat, vegetables, and fish can go a long way, while eating less organ meats, egg yolks and fats.

Dr. Pitsch recommends that everyone should have an open and honest conversation with their doctor about heart disease and the prevention of heart disease.

Sally Wangness, a resident at The Village at Penn State, is the unofficial documentarian of construction of the community’s new connector hallway and community room. Since construction began in August 2017, she has been snapping photos to follow the progress. “The photos are mounted on an easel outside the main dining room with a description,” said Sally. “I love being able to keep everyone informed on the progress of these much anticipated additions.”

The brisk pace of construction on the hallway and community room means the exterior walls are complete and the interior is taking shape. Interior rooms- such as the kitchen area, restrooms, audio/visual space, and the stage- have been roughed out and wiring and plumbing are now being installed. Sally marvels at the pace of the construction. “Each time I come here with Ellen Corbin, executive director of the Village, there is something new to see. Ellen has been so gracious in letting me photograph the progress.”

With a raised stage and seating for up to 165 guests, the new community room will allow more residents to partake in the variety of activities offered at The Village. The new connector hallway will make it much easier to visit family and friends in the Atrium as it links the main residence with the personal care community.

Careful planning on account of the fickle State College weather has kept the progress on track according to Dave DeLuca, Liberty Lutheran’s director of real estate development. “The weather in late 2017 did make it a challenge,” said Dave, “To prepare for that, our team did its homework and we still expect to complete construction by early spring.”

New construction will also being soon on Palmer Park and six park-adjacent cottages. Palmer Park is a first-of-its kind fully landscaped park and gardens, featuring professionally contoured golf putting and practice areas, a village green and a multi-purpose area for many recreational activities. Theluxurious cottages will include two bedrooms and two-full bathrooms, an open floor plan with 1,800 square feet of living space, vaulted ceilings, and dramatic windows that feature views of the beautiful Palmer Park.

In 2014, Sally also documented the construction of The Atrium, The Village’s personal care community. When the groundbreaking on Palmer Park and the cottages occurs, Sally plans on being there to capture that progress as well.

A special message from Katrina Wise,Executive Director of Paul’s Run Retirement Community:

What does a garden mean to you? The English philosopher Francis Bacon saw the garden as the purest of human pleasures. American writer and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson said that earth laughs in flowers. And French painter Claude Monet believed his garden to be his most beautiful masterpiece.

ToPaul’s Run resident Angie the garden provides the perfect backdrop to friends and fellowship. “Being able to enjoy the outdoors with friends lifts your spirit,” she says. Paul’s Run resident Emma champions the outdoors as an antidote to bolster well-being, and suggests one can get a daily dose of happiness by walking in the garden.

The garden means harmony, joy and rejuvenation to Angie, Emma and all of our beloved residents, who now, because of your continued interest and support, can enjoy a new outdoor space known as the Friendship Garden.

This enchanting refuge—which envelopes a serene walking path, lovely flowers, and soothing water feature—is a tranquil space where residents and family members can meditate, pray, reminisce, or simply soak up the pleasures of nature.

“I am more myself in a garden than anywhere else on earth.” ~Author and gardening expert Doug Green

Julie Stumpf, Director of Spiritual Life, reflects these beautiful words when she describes the Friendship Garden. “Residents are commenting on the garden’s appeal. It has elements of stillness, yet also movement of life that is represented by a gentle fountain.”
“This garden is a special place—a place that engages the senses and the spirit through flowers, colors, and the sound of water. It is apart from the busyness of the community and its high traffic areas. Here residents can experience the divinity of nature in a space that is organic and still,” says Julie.